2002 Volkswagen Passat Fuel System Problems

To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this letter as a formal complaint regarding an authorized automobile dealer’s refusal to perform an open safety recall on my vehicle. Vehicle information: * Year/Make/Model: 2002 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T GLS * VIN: [XXX] I contacted Platinum Volkswagen, of Hicksville, New York, an authorized Volkswagen dealer, on January 7, 2026, to schedule a repair for an open safety recall applicable to my vehicle. I was advised by the service manager that the owner of the dealership refused to perform the recall repair solely based on the age of the vehicle. He advised me to request service at another authorized dealership. The service manager confirmed that the parts for the recall were available or could have been ordered and that the decision was based solely on the individual VW franchise owner's discretion not to service older vehicles. My understanding of federal motor vehicle safety law is that open safety recalls do not expire due to vehicle age, and that manufacturers and their authorized dealers are required to remedy such recalls at no cost to the owner. The dealer did not cite recall closure, lack of available parts, or any condition that would make the repair unsafe or infeasible. I am requesting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration review this matter and determine whether the dealer’s refusal is consistent with federal safety recall requirements. Please let me know if additional documentation or information is required. Thank you for your time and attention. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I was letting my car run for a couple of minutes for the AC to cool down the car and I went into my house. When I came out about 2 minutes later, there was a large puddle of gas under the car in front of the right rear wheel and gas was running down the driveway all the way to the street. I immediately turned off the car and the gas stopped pouring out from under the car. I was lucky the car, my house or I did not go up in flames.

FUEL LEAKING FROM FITTING ON TOP OF TANK NEAR FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT.

I PURCHASED A 2002 PASSAT W8 4-MOTION, HAVING ONLY 126,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, IN OCTOBER 2017 OFTEN AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, I WOULD NOTICE THE FAINT SCENT OF GASOLINE. UPON INVESTIGATING WHERE THE GASOLINE SMELL WAS ORIGINATING, I FOUND IT HAD DEVELOPED A VERY LARGE FUEL LEAK FROM WHICH FUEL COULD BE SEEN DRIPPING ON THE FORWARD, LEFT SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. AFTER PERFORMING SOME BRIEF RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PASSAT 4-MOTIONS, DATED APRIL 2008, IN REGARDS TO A VENTILATION VALVE ON THE FUEL TANK. I PROMPTLY MADE A APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL VW DEALER FOR DEC 4TH. ON DECEMBER 6, 2017, I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ASKING JAY, THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE VW DEALERSHIP, IF THEY FOUND THE VENT VALVE TO BE LEAKING. I WAS TOLD THAT THE VALVE WAS IN FACT LEAKING AT THE BONDED VALVE POINT. AFTER HEARING NOTHING THE NEXT TWO DAYS, I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM VW STATING THAT THEY FOUND THE UNDER-BODY DAMAGE TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK. I REQUESTED TO SEE THE PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE SO THAT I COULD EXAMINE THEM MYSELF. ON DECEMBER 11, 2017, I RECEIVED THE PICTURES FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER SHOWING THE HEAT SHIELDS SURROUNDING THE TANK TO HAVE SOME BRUSH MARKS AND TO BE DISFIGURED A BIT. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND, THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE IN THE EARLY 2000'S, AND THE VEHICLE IS NOW 15 YEARS OLD WITH 127,000 MILES ON IT AND THE RECALL HAD BEEN COMPLETED. THIS "DAMAGE" WOULD NOT LEAD TO A FUEL TANK LEAK AS THE FUEL TANK ITSELF WAS NOT DAMAGED. VERY UPSET, I WROTE TO THE REGIONAL CASE MANAGER ON DEC 11, 2017 WITH MY THOUGHTS ON THE DAMAGE AND TO GET MORE DETAILS ON THE CASE. I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE.

WHEN FUEL TANK HAS APPROXIMATELY 8 GALLONS OR MORE, FUEL POURS OUT FROM UNDER THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE ABOUT TWO FEET FROM THE OUTER KICK PANEL. NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL AND VWOA SAID THAT MY VIN DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL DESPITE MY EXPLAINING THAT THE PROBLEM IS IDENTICAL TO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED. THIS WAS AT 118K MILES AND IT HAPPENED TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER ARROUND 80K.

FUEL LEAK AFTER FILLING GAS TANK. LEAK ON DRIVER SIDE UNDER REAR DOOR. STOPS AFTER GAGE IS BELOW 3/4 FULL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VENTILATION VALVE WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK. ALSO, THE TANK ONLY LEAKED WHEN IT WAS MORE THAN HALF FULL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. UPDATED 01/25/17*LJ *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FUEL LEAK. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LEAK ORIGINATED NEAR THE REAR OF THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK IN THE VEHICLE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

REPORT RECEIPT DATE: APR 07, 2008 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 COMPONENT(S): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE WHEN FUEL TANK IS MORE THAN 3/4 FUEL A FUEL SMELL APPEARS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. A PRIOR RECALL WAS DONE FOR A HEAT SHIELD, FUEL LINE AND 4MOTION FUEL TANK VENT VALVE FOR INSPECTION AND REPLACE AS NEEDED. THESE SEEM TO FAIL AGAIN. MOST DEALERS MARK RECALL AS PERFORMED WITHOUT A LEAK AND WHEN THE LEAK ACTUALLY OCCURS THEY TRY TO DENY THE ISSUE AS PERFORMED ALREADY. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED SO THAT OWNERS OF LOWER MILEAGE VEHICLES ( UNDER 150000) CAN GET THE REPAIR FIXED UNDER A RECALL THAT HAS BEEN ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR.

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO INCIDENT TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR AND WITHOUT WARNING OF ANY KIND MY CAR SHUTS OFF AND I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED . I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK TRIED STARTING THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED RIGHT AWAY . I DROVE VEHICLE HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT . I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM NO ENGINE CODES WHERE PRESENT . I DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK AND THIS SAME SCENARIO PLAYED OUT AGAIN I WASN'T DRIVING THE CAR ANY FURTHER AT THIS POINT BECAUSE AGAIN I HAD MY CHILD IN THE CAR AND AGAIN ALSO GOT REAR ENDED . HAD IT TOWED TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC AND THEY TO WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY ENGINE CODES OR PROBLEMS . I HAD MY BOYFRIEND DRIVE THE CAR HOME AND IT STALLED ON HIM AT A RED LIGHT . CAR WOULDN'T RESTART SO HE HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE ACROSS A LANE OF TRAFFIC TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD . WHEN THE CAR COOLED DOWN FOR 2 HOURS IT RESTARTED AND DROVE FINE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR CODES PRESENT .. AFTER A MONTH OF HEADACHES WITH THE CAR WE DISCOVERS IT WAS A FAULTY ENGINE SPEED SENSOR THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PART TO FAIL WITHOUT WARNING LEAVING THE CAR POWERLESS IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY I IMAGINE. *TR

FIRST TIME I FILLED TANK FUEL FULL WITH FUEL AND FUEL TANK STARTED TO LEAK. I SEND THE CAR TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALER ND THEY FOUND A CRACK ON WELDED PART OF THE TANK, WHERE TWO PARTS OF THE FUEL TANK ARE WELD TOGETHER. IF FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 3/4 IT DOES NOT LEAK BUT IF IT IS FULL LEAK. I CALL VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY TOLD ME THAN THE CAR IS TWO OLD AND WITH TOO MUCH OF THE MILES TO BE COVERT FROM ANY RECALL SO THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR FUEL TANK REPLACMENT AND THEY DO NOT SUPPORT THE SAFETY OF ANY CAR ABOVE 100,000 MILES ARE OLDER THAN 10 YEARS. I PAYED $2154 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK . DEALER GAVE TO ME THE CRACKED TANK, I ASKED FOR IT, AND I HAVE IT I MY GARAGE. *TR

THE FUEL IS LEAKING WHEN THE TANK IS FULL, HAPPENED THE TWO LAST TIME I FILL THE TANK, WHEN THE TANK IS HALF NOT LEAK. *TR

THERE IS A DANGEROUS GAS LEAK FROM THE PREVIOUSLY RECALLED FUEL TANK THAT IS NOT DAMAGED BY THE ROAD, OR OTHER DEBRIS. THE RECALL NEEDS TO STAY OPEN. *TR

SINCE EARLY 2009, THERE HAS BEEN AN EVAP SYSTEM PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 VW PASSAT 4MOTION. THIS HAS CAUSED ME ENDLESS HASSLE AND SIGNIFICANT EXPENSE OVER THE LAST 4 YEARS. AFTER 3 FAILED ATTEMPTS TO GET THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED, A DEALER FINALLY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM IN 2011 AS A FUEL VAPOR LEAK FROM THE FUEL TANK. NO MENTION WAS MADE OF THE 2008 RECALL (VWOA #25E5/R6, NHTSA #08V156000) COVERING SUCH FUEL LEAKS. AFTER (RE-)DISCOVERING THE RECALL NOTICE IN 2013, I CONTACTED BOTH VW AND TWO SEPARATE DEALERS; ALL INDICATED THAT SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS SERVICED IN 2008 UNDER THE RECALL (THOUGH ONLY THE UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD WAS REPLACED; THE GAS TANK AND RELATED PARTS MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN "INSPECTED" BUT THE DEALERSHIP NO LONGER HAS THOSE RECORDS NOR DOES VW HAVE THOSE DETAILS), VW WOULD NOT COVER THE FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT. I HAVE SINCE CONTACTED VW AGAIN, WHO HAVE AGREED TO LOOK INTO THE MATTER BUT REQUIRE ME TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE RE-DIAGNOSED. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY MATTER (A LEAK AT THE GAS TANK COULD START A FIRE), IT SEEMS CLEAR THAT VW'S RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE MATTER SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO MERELY "INSPECTING" THE AFFECTED PARTS ONCE WITH NO OVERSIGHT OR FOLLOW-UP, AS HAS HAPPENED IN THIS CASE. *TR

I RECENTLY HAD WORK DONE ON MY VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #08V156000, WHICH REQUIRED INSPECTION, AND THE INSTALLATION OF ADDITIONAL HEAT SHIELDS NEAR THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER THE CAMPAIGN IN 2008. RECENTLY, THE FUEL TANK BEGAN LEAKING GASOLINE, WHICH INDICATES THAT THE HEAT SHIELDS THAT WERE INSTALLED HAD EITHER FAILED, OR THAT THE HEAT SHIELDS WERE INADEQUATE TO PREVENT EVENTUAL DAMAGE TO THE FUEL TANK. I BELIEVE THAT THE FUEL TANKS FOR THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE INSPECTED AGAIN IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHETHER REPAIR TO THE FUEL TANKS IS REQUIRED AND TO PREVENT VEHICLE FIRE, INJURY, AND LOSS OF LIFE. I CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME $136.49 IN ADDITIONAL LABOR FOR THE REMOVAL OF AFTERMARKET PARTS, EVEN THOUGH THE CAMPAIGN CLEARLY STATES THAT DEALERS WILL "REPLACE COMPONENTS IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE." NEITHER VW CUSTOMER SERVICE, NOR THE DEALERSHIP WOULD AGREE TO PERFORM THE WORK FULLY FREE OF CHARGE. I BELIEVE THAT THE CHARGE FOR ADDITIONAL LABOR IS IN VIOLATION OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN AND REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN OBTAINING REIMBURSEMENT. *TR

WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE A GAS LEAK / SMELL REPAIRED BY 3 DIFFERENT VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS OVER 5 YEARS. WE FIRST APPROACHED THE DEALER IN 2008 WHEN RECEIVING NOTICE OF A RECALL. THE RECALL WAS THE "UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD/FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS (#08V156000). TODAY, 10/17/2013 WE FINALLY HAVE A DEALER STATING THAT THERE IS A FUEL LEAK EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO GET VW TO BELIEVE US FOR 5 YEARS. THE OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GASOLINE PERMEATES OUR ENTIRE HOUSE AFTER A FILL UP AND IMMEDIATELY PARK THE VEHICLE IN OUR GARAGE. *TR

CONCERNING VOLKSWAGEN RECALL 08V156000. SUMMARY: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE A FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE (4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE ONLY) THAT CAN LEAK DUE TO FRACTURE. CONSEQUENCE: A HEAT SHIELD THAT MAY CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. IN ADDITION, A FUEL LEAK FROM A FUEL LINE OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CAN LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS TO COVER THE POSSIBLY DAMAGED AREAS. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE ON 4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES, AND REPLACE COMPONENTS IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2008. FAST FWD TO 2013. OUR GAS TANK IS NOW LEAKING OUT AND THERE'S EVERY INDICATION IT'S A VENTILATION VALVE. THE RECALL WORK WAS COMPLETE ON THIS CAR IN 2008, ALTHOUGH THE DEALER SERVICE ORDER DID NOT SPECIFY THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVES WERE INSPECTED. THE WORK ORDERED SPECIFIED INSTALLING THE HEATSHIELDS ONLY. VW DEALER WILL NOT COVER COSTS OF CHECKING THE VENTILATION VALVE GIVEN THEY SAID THE RECALL WORK WAS ALREADY PERFORMED. WHO HOLDS DEALER ACCOUNTABLE FOR PROPERLY COMPLETING RECALL INSPECTION /MAINTENANCE? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, FUEL SPILLED OUT OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. UPDATED 07/10/13*LJ UPDATED 07/11/2013 *JS

AFTER FILLING MY VEHICLES GAS TANK AND I WAS SMELLING A POTENT GAS ODOR AND IT WENT AWAY AFTER A FEW MILES. WHEN ARRIVED AT MY HOTEL AS I WAS AWAY ON BUSINESS, I PARKED THE VEHICLE FOR THE NIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I WOKE UP THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDER THE REAR OF MY CAR. I CAN NO LONGER FILL THE TANK MORE THAN HALF WAY OR THIS SAME ISSUE HAPPENS. I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE RECALL BY THE MANUFACTURER, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED WITH NO OUT OF POCKET COSTS TO ME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL FUEL LEAK ON THE FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V026000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP); HOWEVER AT TIME OF INSPECTION, THERE WAS NO FUEL LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT STATED THAT THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR THE RECALL HAD PASSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

I BOUGHT A VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2002 FROM A LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE CAME WITH NO WARRANTY. THE DAY I GOT THE VEHICLE I FILLED THE CAR WITH FULL TANK OF GASOLINE. I PARKED THE CAR OUTSIDE MY APARTMENT AND NEXT DAY WHEN I CHECKED THERE WAS GAS LEAKING FROM THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED LIKE FOR 4 DAYS AND WHEN THE FUEL IN THE CAR REDUCED TO HALF OF THE FUEL TANK CAPACITY IT STOPPED. I THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF LEAK WHICH STOPPED BY ITSELF. BUT NEXT TIME WHEN I DID A FULL TANK RE FILL AGAIN THE GASOLINE STARTED LEAKING. EVEN THIS TIME IT STOPPED AFTER THE FUEL IN THE CAR REDUCED TO HALF THE TANK LEVEL. I CALLED UP VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER CARE TO GET THIS FUEL TANK REPLACED AS PER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE08008. THEY TOLD THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED IN JUNE 2011. ITS JUST A YEAR AND AGAIN IT IS HAPPENING THE SAME. THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME THE INFORMATION WERE IT WAS REPLACED AND TOLD IT HAS CROSSED 1 YEAR OF WARRANTY PERIOD AND THEY CANT HELP. BUT HERE IT JUST 11 DAYS FROM JUNE 2011 AND THE FUEL TANK WAS SPOIL YET AGAIN. I REQUEST YOU TO TAKE THIS APPEAL OF MINE AND GET THIS FUEL TANK REPLACED FOR ME. THIS IS A MATTER OF SAFETY. IF IT WAS SOMETHING ELSE I WOULDN'T HAVE WORRIED BUT HERE THIS IS FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL TANK. SMALL BURST OF FIRE OR SPARK INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE CAR CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. EVEN THE LEAKING FUEL MITE GET IGNITED WHILE THE CAR IS TRAVELING FOR A LONGER PERIOD IN SUMMER DUE TO HEAT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR AROUND THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A LEAK NEAR THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND WAS REPAIRED BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

MY FUEL TANK IS LEAKING FOR THE 2ND TIME IN 2 YEARS. IN 2009, I SMELLED FUEL WHEN THE TANK WAS FULL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE TANK WAS CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, WHICH I PAID FOR. IN 2011, THE EXACT SAME THING OCCURRED. THE DEALER IS PAYING FOR THE REPLACEMENT. THIS CONCERNS ME THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL TANKS IN THE 2002 VW PASSAT. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED EARLIER AND SORT OF RECALLED UNDER THE HEAT SHIELD PROBLEM. IF IT IS THE SAME ISSUE AS THAT, I SHOULDN'T HAVE PAID FOR THE REPAIR IN 2009. COULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE FUEL TANKS...THE ESCAPE OF FUEL SCARES ME! *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUMES WERE ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO PASS STATE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IN ORDER TO FIND THE CAUSE OF FAILURE, THEY WOULD HAVE TO DROP THE FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V156000 ( FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. AFTER ADDING FUEL TO THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING WITHOUT INCIDENT; HOWEVER, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

I OWN A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. IT HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND UNABLE TO START RIGHT AWAY. IT SOMETIMES FAILS TO START WHEN I GET IN, THEN STARTS AGAIN LATER. THE FUEL PUMP/FUEL LINE FAILURE HAS LEFT ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND I HAVE ALSO BEEN STRANDED, WHILE WAITING FOR MY CAR TO START AGAIN. I BELIEVE THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT IT IN ORDER TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE W/ MY 2002 PASSAT. *TR

FUEL TANK LEAKS WHEN 7/8 TO 8/8 FULL. LEAKING GAS DAMAGES ASPHALT AND POSES A FIRE THREAT. *TR

FUEL LEAKS WHEN GAS TANK IS MORE THAN ABOUT HALF TO THREE QUARTERS FULL. VERY STRONG ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE VEHICLE. SOME WETNESS AROUND FUEL TANK, BUT NO VISIBLE DRIPS WHEN INSPECTED BY OWNER. WHEN DRIVING AT 60 MPH SOON AFTER FILLING TANK, FUEL RANGE INDICATOR DECREASES BY 5 MILES FOR EVERY 1 TO 2 MILES TRAVELLED. ASSUMING NORMAL FUEL CONSUMPTION SHOULD BE 20 MPG, IN 1.5 MINUTES VEHICLE SHOULD USE 0.075 GAL, BUT ACTUALLY USES 0.250 GAL SO THE LEAK RATE IS APPROXIMATELY 0.12 GAL/MIN OR 45 ML/MIN. SUCH LEAKAGE WOULD BE EVIDENT AS DRIPS IF THE LEAK WAS BELOW THE LIQUID LEVEL WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY SO IT IS SUSPECTED TO BE IN THE AREA OF THE GAS TANK VENTS. VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY VW. (VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED USED FROM PRIVATE SELLER WITHOUT MAINTENANCE RECORDS).

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA RECALL # 08V156000: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, DELIVERY, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK IN THE FUEL LINE NEAR THE FIRE WALL. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT GASOLINE SPILLED OVER THE ENGINE AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PERFORM THE RECALL PROPERLY. WHEN THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AGAIN UNDER THE RECALL UNLESS THE CONTACT WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000. UPDATED 04/22/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED TO THE BEST OF HIS KNOWLEDGE THE FUEL LINES ON HIS VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REFUSED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS FREE CHARGE. UPDATED 07/01/10.*JB

WHILE DRIVING HOME LAST NIGHT, MY 2002 VW PASSAT BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND CUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO LET IT COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT IN THE LANE OF AN EXIT RAMP FOR TRAFFIC EXITING THE HIGHWAY. I ENGAGED MY FLASHERS AND CALLED 911 AND A TOW TRUCK. I TRIED STARTING THE CAR AGAIN AND IT WOULD NOT CRANK. ONCE THE POLICE CAME, HE PUSHED MY CAR INTO SAFETY AND AWAITED THE TOW TRUCK. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE VW DEALER. THIS MORNING, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER WHO SAID THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE WAS INTERRUPTED AND CAUSED BY A INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP. MY COMPLAINT IS WHEN I CHECKED ONLINE FOR RECALLS, I FOUND A RECALL THAT WAS POSTED IN SEPT 2002 FOR THE SAME ISSUE I AM HAVING WITH MY CAR. MY CAR WAS PURCHASED IN FEB 2002 AND THE RECALL IS FOR 2003 MODELS. I CALLED VW OF AMERICA AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE WITH THEM AND THE ONLY OFFER THEY GAVE ME WAS $1000 TOWARDS A NEW VW. UNBELIEVABLE! BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS FOR 2003 MODELS, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST ME BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS A 2002. EVEN THOUGH I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE AS THE 2003 RECALL. THE DEALER QUOTED $589 FOR THE REPAIR. THIS STALL COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE THAN IT WAS DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER, NIGHT TIME AND THE EXIT RAMP. THIS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A SAFETY RECALL BECAUSE THERE IS NO WARNING BEFORE THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WHICH CAUSES A POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH, WHICH IS WHAT I WAS FACED WITH LAST NIGHT. I AM NOT ASKING TO BE SINGLED OUT, BUT TO LOOK INTO THIS 6-MONTH GAP OF THE RECALL IN SEPT 2002 AND THE PURCHASE DATE OF MY VEHICLE FEB 2002. I WAS ALSO TOLD AT VW OF AMERICA THAT THEY COULD ONLY ASSIST ME WITH MY ISSUE IF MY VIN NUMBER MATCHED THE RECALLS. SO MY QUESTION, WHAT IF THE STALL OF MY VEHICLE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND SERIOUS INJURIES OR FATALITIES WERE INVOLVED, WOULD VW LOOK INTO THE 2002 RECALL THEN OR JUST TELL THE FAMILIES, SORRY, YOU DIDN'T HAVE A 2003. *TR

I AM A THE OWNER OF A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4MOTION WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I AM CONTACTING YOU TO SEEK ACTION IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER FOR A RECALL FOR FAULTY GAS TANKS. I PURCHASED THIS CAR AS A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE IN 2004. I TOOK THE CAR TO A VW DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES WITH A PROBLEM WITH SOMETHING LEAKING UNDER THE CAR, AND TOLD THERE WAS NOT A LEAK FOUND. AFTER SMELLING GAS, AND FINDING FUEL ON MY GARAGE FLOOR, THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A CRACKED FUEL TANK, AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE FOR $3000. AFTER COMPLAINING TO VW OF AMERICA, THE COSTS WERE COVERED AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR THE SAME ISSUE. NOW, ONE YEAR LATER, I AGAIN SMELLED FUMES, AND FOUND GASOLINE ON THE FLOOR. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM. VW OF AMERICA HAS OFFERED TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. MY CAR IS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE WHERE OUR GAS HOT WATER IS LOCATED. THE FUEL ON THE FLOOR WAS NO MORE THAN 15 FT FROM THE HOT WATER HEATER. HAD THERE BEEN A SPARK, I AM CERTAIN THAT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR FIRE, WITH POTENTIAL FATAL OUTCOMES. I WILL NOT BRING THIS VEHICLE BACK TO MY HOUSE FOR FEAR OF A REPEAT FAILURE. I ALSO HAVE CONCERNS SELLING A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE TO A 3RD PARTY KNOWING THE POTENTIAL SEVERE SAFETY HAZARDS. VOLKSWAGEN HAS CLEARLY DESIGNED A FAULTY PRODUCT THEY REFUSE TO STAND BEHIND, AND AS A CONSUMER, I WILL HAVE TO INCUR A FINANICAL LOSS TO REPLACE THIS VEHICLE. THESE PROBLEMS STEM FROM NEGLIGENT DESIGN AND ARE A VERY SERIOUS POTENTAIL HAZARD. THE 4MOTION CARS SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM SERVICE AND COMPENSATIONS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO OWNERS. I DESPERATELY SEEK YOUR ASSISTANCE ON THIS ISSUE TO REVIEW WHETHER A SECOND RECALL MAY BE NECESSARY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR

HELLO, MY NAME IS ROBERT CAMPBELL AND I AM A THE OWNER OF A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4MOTION WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I AM CONTACTING YOU TO SEEK ACTION IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V156000, WHICH CLEARLY INDICATES A RECALL FOR FAULTY GAS TANKS ON THIS PARTICULAR MAKE/MODEL DUE TO FRACTURED VENTILATION VALVES. UPON PURCHASING THE CAR AS A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE IN 2006, I HAD TO HAVE THE GAS TANK REPLACED WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP DUE TO THIS VERY SAME DEFECT. THIS WAS COVERED BY THE TWO YEAR WARRANTY PROVIDED BY THE DEALERSHIP. A WEEK AGO, MY GAS TANK STARTED TO LEAK AGAIN. FUEL IS NOW LEAKING ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CREATING A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. UPON INSPECTION BY THE DEALER, THEY HAVE SURMISED THE SECOND TANK HAS ONCE AGAIN FAILED - DUE TO A FRACTURED VENTILATION VALVE. BOTH VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICAN AND MY LOCAL DEALER ARE REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS RECALL AND WILL ONLY REPLACE THE TANK IF I AGREE TO REPAIR COSTS TOTALING $1,800. VOLKSWAGEN HAS CLEARLY DESIGNED A FAULTY PRODUCT THEY REFUSE TO STAND BEHIND, AND AS A CONSUMER, I SHOULD NOT BE FINANCIALLY OBLIGATED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS THAT CLEARLY STEM FROM NEGLIGENT DESIGN. I DESPERATELY SEEK YOUR ASSISTANCE ON THIS ISSUE AND WILL GLADLY OFFER MY FULL COOPERATION. *TR

I PUT GASOLINE IN MY CAR. I BEGAN SMELLING GASOLINE AND NOTICED THE FUEL METER HADN'T REGISTERED THE INCREASE IN FUEL. I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AT THIS POINT. I HEARD A BIG BOOM AND THEN PEOPLE AROUND ME WERE SHOUTING AT ME TO "GET OUT OF THE CAR". I LOOKED TO THE RIGHT AND NOTICED FLAMES SHOOTING UP THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR. I JUMPED OUT OF THE DRIVERS SEAT TO SAFETY. A GOOD SAMARITAN WAS ABLE TO GRAB A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM A NEAR BY BUSINESS; AND ANOTHER PERSON CAME RUNNING OUT OF A NEARBY BUSINESS WITH ANOTHER AND THE WERE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FLAMES WERE PRIMARILY UNDER THE VEHICLE AND TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE. POLICE AND FIRE PERSONNEL ARRIVED ON SCENE. MADE SURE FIRE WAS COMPLETELY OUT; THEN PUSHED CAR TO SAFETY. A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED, AS MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY UN-DRIVABLE (ALL THE BELTS, HOSES WERE MELTED, INCLUDING THE BRAKE CABLE). THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER (ALSO A MECHANIC) TOLD ME THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR HAD EXPLODED. HE THEN SAID IT WAS A DEFECT; A MANUFACTURER ISSUE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY) AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE REMEDY; HOWEVER, IF THE HEAT SHIELDS AND ANOTHER COMPONENT BECAME DAMAGED DURING THE INSTALLATION, HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

SUDDENLY FELT STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE (NOT A RESULT OF ACCIDENT OR ANY OTHER OCCURRENCE.) THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FUEL TANK LEAK. THE GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VW DEALER IN SUNNYVALE, CA, REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE COSTLY REPAIRS. *TR

VEHICLE LEAKED A LARGE AMOUNT OF FUEL (~4 GALLONS IN 3 DAYS). NO FIRE, BUT THERE IS NOW A LARGE HOLE IN MY DRIVEWAY. SHOP SAYS LEAK IS FROM TOP OF ENGINE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. SHE PULLED OVER TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY A REPRESENTATIVE AT THE SERVICE STATION. WEEKS LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

FOR THE PAST NINE MONTHS I HAVE SMELLED GAS WHEN I FILLED MY GAS TANK PAST HALF FULL. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS ON YOUR WEBSITE LAST MONTH AN CAME ACROSS THE VW PASSAT FUEL TANK SAFETY RECALL. SINCE MY CAR WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP TO TAKE CARE OF YET ANOTHER PROBLEM, I TOLD THEM ABOUT MY GAS SMELL PROBLEM AND INFORMED THEM ABOUT THE RECALL. I TOLD THEM THAT IT ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE GAS TANK IS PAST HALF FULL AND TOLD THEM TO PUT GAS IN IT AND TEST IT. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR THEY HADN'T DONE THE GAS TANK TEST. THE SERVICE ADVISOR LOOKED UP THE RECALL AND FOUND INFORMATION ON THE GAS TANK SAFETY RECALL R5 AND PRINTED OUT A FAQ SHEET. HE INFORMED ME THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE NEW TANK FOR THE RECALL AND HE EXPECTED THEM ON MAY 30TH. HE TOLD ME TO CONTACT HIM AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE TANK REPLACED ONCE THEY HAD THE PARTS IN. I CALLED THE DEALER ON MAY 30TH AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR TODAY JUNE 3RD. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS INFORMED BY ANOTHER SERVICE ADVISOR AND SHE COULDN'T FIND ANY VOLKSWAGEN RECALL COVERING MY VIN. THE SERVICE ADVISER I SPOKE TO WHEN I HAD PICKED UP MY CAR AFTER THE REPAIRS I HAD DONE IN MAY CAME OVER. HE RECALLED OBTAINING THE INFORMATION AND SEARCHED FOR IT AGAIN AND IT WASN'T LISTED. THEY LET ME CALL VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE VW CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THAT THERE WASN'T A SAFETY RECALL ON THE MY VOLKSWAGEN W8. I TOLD HIM THAT IT SMELLS LIKE GAS WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FILLED PAST HALF FULL. HE SAID HE WOULD CONTACT THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS AT AND SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE. I READ THE INFORMATION ON YOUR WEBSITE INVOLVING THIS RECALL AND IT SEAMS PRETTY CLEAR THAT ANY 1999- 2005 MODEL YEAR PASSAT WITH A GASOLINE ENGINE IS COVERED. I HAVE A 2002 VW PASSAT W8 WITH 4MOTION. ONE OF THE RESPONSES FROM VW LISTS VIN NUMBER RANGES, BUT MINE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE WITHIN THAT RANGE. I THINK THAT VW ERRED IN THEIR INVESTIGATION AND DIDN'T LOOK INTO THE W8. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 VW PASSAT V6 GLX WAGON WITH 37,000 MILES. WHENEVER THE FUEL TANK IS FULL, OR NEAR-FULL, THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE FROM THE RIGHT REAR SIDE. I HAVE HAD TO LEAVE MY GARAGE DOOR PARTIALLY OPEN BECAUSE OF THE DANGER OF IGNITING FUMES FROM THE PILOT LIGHTS OF MY HOME GAS WATER HEATER AND FURNACE IN THE GARAGE. I HAVE FOUND WET PATCHES SMELLING STRONGLY OF GASOLINE ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE GASOLINE TANK IS LEAKING SOMEHOW AND PRESENTS A FIRE SAFETY ISSUE. I SUSPECT IT MIGHT BE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT IS BEING INVESTIGATED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE08008 EVEN THOUGH MY MODEL IS NOT AN ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE. MEANWHILE, WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, IN MY GARAGE OR OUT IN THE OPEN, THERE IS A CONSTANT DANGER OF FIRE BEING IGNITED. *TR

2002 PASSAT 4 MOTION V6 LEAKING GAS THEN FILLED UP OVER HALF A TANK? *TR

AFTER A GAS FILL IN FEBRUARY 2008 A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE WAS EVIDENT. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTED THAT GAS WAS LEAKING ONTO THE PAVEMENT UNDER THE CAR. THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO RESOLVE ITSELF AFTER ABOUT 1/4 TANK OF GAS WAS BURNED. AFTER THE NEXT FILL, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT A SENDING UNIT HAD FAILED, WHICH WAS REPLACED. AGAIN THE PROBLEM RECURRED UPON FILLING THE GAS TANK. THE DEALERSHIP THEN DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A BROKEN VENT ON THE FUEL TANK CAUSING THE LEAK WHICH REQUIRED A REPLACEMENT TANK. DURING ALL OF THIS THERE WAS NEVER A WARNING LIGHT THAT WOULD ALERT TO THE PROBLEM. *TR

THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT A 2002 PASSAT 4-MOTION V6 CAR. GAS ODOR ENTERED MY HOUSE FOR 2 WEEKS AND I DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I CALLED THE GAS COMPANY TO SEE IF I HAD A GAS LEAK WITH MY FURNACE. THE GAS COMPANY CAME AND TESTED BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH MY FURNACE OR EQUIPMENT USING NATURAL GAS. I DECIDED TO FIND THE ROOT CAUSE AND BEGAN RULING OUT POSSIBILITIES. I OBSERVES THE GAS SMELL WAS IN MY GARAGE. I OBSERVED WHENEVER MY GAS TANK WAS FILLED, MORE ODOR CAME INTO THE HOUSE. I FILLED THE GAS TANK ON 10/1/07 AND PARKED THE CAR OUT ON THE STREET. ON 10/2/07, WHEN I ENTERED THE CAR IN THE EARLY AM HOURS, THE GAS SCENT MADE ME THROW UP AND I BECAME DIZZY. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS WRONG AND I DROVE - WHILE PRAYING - THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THEY IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE THE CAR OUT OF THERE WITHOUT FINDING OUT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE VERY STRONG GAS ODOR. I WAS LATER TOLD IF ANYONE HAD THROWN A CIGARETTE BY MY CAR, IT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE! THE CAR WAS DRIPPING GAS AS I DROVE TO THE DEALER! THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSE BY A LEAK ON MY FUEL TANK. A NEW FUEL TANK WAS NEEDED - THAT IS THE ONLY WAY IT COULD BE FIXED. I REQUESTED MY OLD TANK AND SAID IT HAS TO BE BROUGHT AND SHOWN TO THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY OVER TRANSPORTATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE I COULD HAVE DIED AND NO ONE WOULD HAVE KNOWN IT WAS A FAULTY MANUFACTURER'S PART. THE OLD TANK SHOWS 3 PLASTIC TUBES USED ON THE GAS TANK THAT DRAINS THE GAS! PLASTIC ! ONE OF THE PLASTIC TUBES BROKE OFF CAUSING THE GAS LEAK! I VISITED A WEBSITE AND FOUND SO MANY OTHER PASSAT OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND VW IS DOING NOTHING TO CHANGE THE DESIGN! I SPOKE TO VW AND I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND I HAVE TO PAY THE COST OF THE REPAIR! I AM ASKING YOUR OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE TO ALL PASSAT OWNERS! I HAVE MY OLD GAS TANK AND WILL BE HAPPY TO BRING IT TO YOUR OFFICE . *TR

FUEL SYSTEM FAILED. THE CAR RAN LIKE A TRACTOR, MISFIRING AND EMITTING EXPLOSIVE LIKE SOUNDS. THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. WE LIMPED TO THE NEXT VW DEALER WHO FOUND IT NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COILS. THE COILS WERE ALREADY ONCE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ON JULY 23, 20003. WHY DO WE HAVE TO PAY $200.44 PLUS TAX FOR THESE OBVIOUSLY UNRELIABLE PARTS? *JB

IF FUEL TANK IS FILLED MORE THAN APPROX. 3/4 FULL, THE ODOR OF GAS IS APPARENT VERY SOON AFTER. IT PERMEATED MY GARAGE OVERNIGHT AND OVERWHELMED ME WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME A VENT TUBE ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS SEEN A NUMBER OF THESE, AS HAS THE DEALERS MECHANIC. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THE ONLY REMEDY IS TO REPLACE THE TANK. I PERSONALLY HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS, AND HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR OVER A YEAR. MY LOCAL VW DEALER WILL BE REPLACING THIS FOR FREE BASED ON THE APPROVAL OF A REGIONAL VW MANAGER, BUT I CALLED VW OF AMERICA AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS ISSUE WAS NEWS TO THEM, AND NO SUCH RECALLS OR EXTENDED WARRANTIES APPLIED. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE, AND I WAS ONLY SAVED THE ~$3,000 IN REPAIR EXPENSE BECAUSE ONE SPECIFIC DEALERS ADVISER HAPPENED TO BE AWARE OF A "SOFT RECALL," AS HE PUT IT. HE TOLD ME A NUMBER OF THESE TANKS ARE FAILING ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE, AND HAVE ORDERED EXTRA FUEL TANKS TO ACCOMMODATE CUSTOMERS. VW SHOULD BE NOTIFYING CUSTOMERS OR AT THE VERY LEAST HAVE INFORMATION ON IT THROUGH THEIR NATIONAL CUSTOMER CARE CENTER. *TR

I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8T. WITH 76,000 MILES ON THE CAR BASED ON THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE DEALER TODAY I WILL HAVE INVESTED OVER $1000 ON VARIOUS FAILURES OF THE FUEL EVAP SYSTEM. FIRST IT WAS VACUUM HOSES AND NOW IT IS THE CHARCOAL CANISTER AND PURGE VALVE. THERE HAS BEEN ONE RECALL ON ONE PART OF THE SYSTEM WHICH OF COURSE WAS NOT WHAT WAS WRONG AT ANY POINT WITH MY VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE FUEL EVAP SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND VW KNOWS IT AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT. IT IS A GREAT MONEYMAKER FOR THEM AS ONLY THEY HAVE THE ACCESS TO THE ELECTRONIC CODES AND PARTS TO REPAIR THE SYSTEM AND TREMENDOUSLY OVER INFLATED PRICES. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE AND NOTICED A LEAK COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FLOAT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT A NEW FUEL TANK WAS NEEDED AND WOULD COST $1,700. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE METAL FLANGE SEAL AND TANK WERE CONNECTED AND WOULD NOT BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER INVESTIGATED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 91,000.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR 6 TIMES SINCE PURCHASED NEW. LATEST INCIDENT, IN FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST, 2007 - THE DIAGNOSIS WAS "FOUND FAULT FOR EVAP SYSTEM INCORRECT PURGE FLOW, TESTED PURGE VALVE AND FOUND TO BE STUCK". FOR 6 DEALER VISITS, 2 IDENTICAL DIAGNOSIS WITH 2 REPLACEMENTS. IS THIS A DESIGN FAULT? DEFECTIVE PART? WHY THE REPETITIVE ISSUE WITH THE SAME AREA. CAR ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES. *TR

THE 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLX 4 MOTION WITH JUST OVER 66,000 MILES HAD JUST BEEN REFUELED WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS AND DRIVEN INTO OUR GARAGE WHEN MY WIFE SMELLED STRONG GASOLINE FUMES AND NOTICED PUDDLES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. I BROUGHT IT TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP, AND WAS CHARGED $70 FOR THE DIAGNOSIS , AND THEN A TOTAL OF $302.77 TO REPLACE THE GASKET FOR THE FUEL PUMP. THEY DID NOT FILL THE TANK TO CONFIRM THAT THE PROBLEM NO LONGER EXISTED, BUT SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. A WEEK LATER THE SAME SITUATION, GASOLINE FUMES AND PUDDLES UNDER VEHICLE. RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY KEPT CAR FOR 4 DAYS TO DIAGNOSE. BOTTOM LINE ,THEY INFORMED ME THAT "THE VEHICLE MAY NEED A NEW FUEL TANK , $1,622. AND /OR NEW FUEL LINES, $922.25. THEY WILL NEED TO LOWER THE FUEL TANK TO COMPLETELY DIAGNOSE" AT A COST OF $700 BECAUSE OF 5 HOURS. LABOR. WE HAD ALREADY SPENT OVER $300 FOR REPAIRS THAT APPARENTLY WASN'T NECESSARY BECAUSE IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY DID NOT REFUND OUR $300. ALSO , MY WIFE CALLED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, SO THEY WOULD OFFER NO HELP. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW. IT WAS TOP OF THE LINE I EXPECT BETTER PERFORMANCE AND SERVICE AS I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF VOLKSWAGENS AND NONE HAD GIVEN ME GRIEF UNTIL THIS ONE. A GASOLINE TANK AND FUEL LINES WERE SAFETY ISSUES AND IF THEY FAIL IN SUCH A SHORT TIME THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE EITHER DEFECTIVE OR POORLY DESIGNED, AND THE RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT THEM SHOULD LIE WITH THE MANUFACTURER. ANY REASONABLE PERSON WOULD THINK THAT THE $300 REPAIR BILL WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE BUT NOT ANYWHERE BETWEEN $2000 AND $3000. WHY SHOULD THE CUSTOMER PAY FOR A POOR DESIGN THAT INVOLVED $700 JUST TO DIAGNOSE? FROM THE LOOK OF SOME OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS FOUND ON THIS SITE THEY WOULD ALREADY KNOW AND GLADLY EXTEND SOME GOOD WILL TO THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 67 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,586.

MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT DEVELOPED A MAJOR FUEL LINE LEAK INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A METAL HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE THAT IS MOUNTED TO THE FIREWALL EITHER CRACKED OR SOMEHOW BLEW A HOLE IN THE LINE. A HIGH PRESSURE STREAM OF GASOLINE WAS BEING SPRAYED DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. THIS GASOLINE ERUPTION AS I WILL CALL IT BECAUSE THE WORD LEAK IS INADEQUATE TO DESCRIBE THE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE THAT WAS SPRAYING OUT OF THE HOSE IN A LOCATION THAT IS DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO A FUEL LINE MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE FIREWALL. IT IS VERY VISIBLE IN THE PHOTOS I TOOK. AK WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE I FOUND A GASOLINE MIST HAD COVERED THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE LEAK WAS SO BAD I INITIALLY PARKED THE VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE BUT COULD SMELL THE GASOLINE INSIDE MY HOME SO I HAD TO MOVE IT OUTSIDE. THE NEXT DAY I HAD A DEALER LOOK AT. HE INFORMED OF HE FOUND THE LEAK, I CAME INTO SEE THE LEAK BEFORE HE REPAIRED IT, HE STARTED THE VEHICLE WITH THE HOOD OPEN AND WITHIN SECONDS THE TOP OF THE ENGINE HAD GASOLINE SPILLING ON TOP OF IT. I TOOK SOME PHOTOGRAPHS THAT CLEARLY SHOW THE SPRAY OF GASOLINE ONTO THE ENGINE. I REQUESTED THAT THE DEALER SAVE THE FUEL LINES THAT HE REMOVED FROM MY VEHICLE, SO I NOW HAVE THOSE AT MY HOME. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SUPPLY THESE FAILED COMPONENTS AS WELL AS SEND IN THE PHOTOS. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN REGARDING THIS INCIDENT AND THEY EXPRESSED NO INTEREST IN TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN WHAT COULD CAUSE THIS MAJOR FUEL LINE LEAK. THEY HAVE NOT YET CALLED THE DEALER TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE REPAIR, AND THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN ME SENDING THEM THE FAILED FUEL LINE PARTS. I AM APPALLED AT VOLKSWAGEN'S LACK OF CONCERN OVER THIS ISSUE. I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT SAFETY NEEDS TO BE A TOP CONCERN FOR AUTO MANUFACTURERS AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS GIVING THIS INCIDENT THE APPROPRIATE ATTENTION. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS, I WILL BE MORE THAN WILLING TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY I CAN.*AK

VOLKSWAGEN 2002 PASSAT 1.8L TURBO. ENGINE STALLED COMPLETELY GOING 60 MPH ON FREEWAY. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. WAS ABLE TO RESTART. VERY DANGEROUS. ISSUE SOUNDS IDENTICAL TO FUEL PUMP ISSUE WITH 2003 PASSAT WHICH CAUSES DANGEROUS STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK WAS OBSERVED TO BE LEAKING UNDER THE BACK SEAT. ALSO, A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE WAS COMING FROM THE BACKSEAT. IT WAS ALSO OBSERVED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED A GREAT DEAL OF GAS. SECONDLY, THERE WAS A SLASH IN THE REAR TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO DEBRIS AND ABRASION WITH THE FUEL TANK. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK ON THE TANK TOP NIPPLE. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED AND THE TIRE WAS REALIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE VIN # WAS NOT PART OF THE NHTSA RECALL #02V026000. REIMBURSEMENT WAS ALSO DENIED.

A CHEMICAL SMELL PERMEATING MY ENTIRE HOUSE FOR 2 MONTHS. I HAD HOME GAS COMPANY COME OUT AND CHECK FOR A GAS LEAK,GAS COMPANY DID NOT FIND A GAS LEAK. THE SMELL WOULD BE WORSE SOME DAYS. A FRIEND FOUND MY TANK LEAKING . I TOOK MY CAR IN THE NEXT DAY, MONDAY P.M. TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT BARON VW. THEY SAID IT WAS A NIPPLE ON A HOSE INSIDE THE TANK, AND THE WHOLE TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR, THAT THEY ARE ESTIMATING TO BE TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS JUST HAPPENED, WITH THE HOSE BEING INSIDE THE TANK, I THINK THIS IS A BAD PART. I HAVE FOUND OTHER INCIDENTS OF THIS ONLINE , FOR THIS PARTICULAR 2002 PASSAT, WITH FOUR MOTION. I THINK IT IS A DEFECT OF THE PART AND IT IS EXPENSIVE BECAUSE THE WHOLE DRIVE TRAIN MUST BE REMOVED TO REPLACE IT. I AM HOPING YOU WILL LOOK INTO THIS BECAUSE THAT IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK SOME PEOPLE WOULD EVEN NOTICE THEIR TANKS LEAKING. IF MY CAR WAS NOT STORED IN MY GARAGE EVERYDAY I WOULD HAVE NEVER NOTICED IT. IT COULD HAVE BLOWN MY HOUSE UP WHEN I TURNED MY HEATER ON FOR THE WINTER WITH THE FUMES THAT WERE IN THIS HOUSE, NOT TO MENTION DRIVING WITH A LEAKING TANK, AND THE CHANCE OF STATIC OR A CIGARETTE BUTT GETTING TOSSED MY WAY. THE CAR HAS BEEN OUT OF MY GARAGE FOR 3 DAYS NOW AND THE ATTIC FAN HAS BEEN ON UNTIL LAST NIGHT AND MY HOUSE STILL STINKS. I AM AFRAID NOW TO TURN MY HOME FURNACE ON. PEOPLE WHO OWN THESE CARS SHOULD BE WARNED TO CHECK THEM FOR GAS LEAKS, ESPECIALLY IF THEY KEEP THEM IN THEIR GARAGE. I ALSO THINK ABOUT THE TIMES I HAD MY GRANDSON STRAPPED INTO A CHILD SEAT RIGHT THERE OVER THAT LEAKING TANK. THE REASON THE SMELL WAS IN MY HOUSE STRONGER SOME DAYS WAS BECAUSE I WOULD LEAVE THE CAR OUTSIDE SOMETIMES AND I HAD THE WINDOWS OPEN AND ATTIC FAN ON WOULD DRAW THE SMELL OUT. THE DAY I DISCOVERED IT WAS PARTICULARLY STRONG WAS BECAUSE I HAD PUT THE CAR BACK IN AND SHUT THE WINDOWS AND TURNED MY A/C BACK ON IN THE HOUSE. *JB

2002 VW PASSAT, V6 4MOTION JUST TURNED OVER 50,000 MILES (WARRANTY EXPIRED) AND NOTICED THAT WHEN I FILLED THE GAS TANK, FOR SEVERAL DAYS UNTIL THE GAS LEVEL WENT DOWN, THERE WAS A VERY STRONG GAS ODOR IN THE CAR AND AROUND THE CAR. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, WHO FIRST POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO PAY THE PASSAT DRIVER PRIVILEGE TAX, A.K.A., $650 FOR STANDARD MAINTENANCE WORK. REGARDING THE GAS SMELL, AFTER THE MECHANICS ALLEGEDLY CHECKED THE CAR, THE SERVICE ADVISOR SPECULATED THAT IT WAS A LEAK IN ONE OF THE FUEL PUMP SEALS, WHICH ARE LOCATED UNDER THE BACK SEAT (WHERE THE STRONGEST SMELL WAS COMING FROM). HE SAID THAT HE HAD SEEN OTHER PASSATS AT AROUND MY SAME MILEAGE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TANK WAS ONLY FULL THOUGH, AND THE SMELL WAS NOT PRESENT, SO HE ASKED ME TO BRING THE CAR BACK ON ANOTHER DAY, WITH A FULL GAS TANK, SO THAT THE MECHANICS COULD SMELL IT. WHEN I SUGGESTED THAT IT MIGHT BE MORE DIFFICULT (AND DANGEROUS) TO EXAMINE A FULL GAS TANK, HE AGREED AND WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK A WEEK LATER FOR THE MECHANICS CHECK IT OUT, THAT'S WHEN THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THE GAS TANK WAS 'CRACKED' (NEAR THE TOP) ' AND THAT IT WOULD COST $2,000+ TO FIX IT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT CAUSED BY 'WEAR AND TEAR'- NOR IS IT A PROBLEM THAT I COULD HAVE CAUSED ABSENT SOME SORT OF IMPACT. I CALLED VW AMERICA TO ASK THEM TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, AND AFTER THEY INVESTIGATED MY CLAIM, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO PAY 1/2 THE COST OF THE REPAIR, ($1,000). WHEN I NEXT SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP, HE TOLD ME THAT VW HAD OFFERED TO PAY 1/2 THE COST OF THE REPAIR, OR WOULD GIVE ME A $1,000 CREDIT TOWARD A NEW CAR. MY INVESTIGATIONS HAVE LED ME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THIS IS EITHER A DEFECT OF THE VW FUEL TANKS OR THE CRACK IS DUE TO CORROSION, WHICH SHOULD BE 100% COVERED UNDER THE 12 YEAR CORROSION WARRANTY. EITHER WAY, VW SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *NM

2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FAILED TO START SUDDENLY, WITH NO WARNING SIGNS. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE MECHANIC, WITH NO ANSWER IMMEDIATELY FOR ITS FAILURE TO START. THE FUEL PUMP WAS THE REASON FOR THE BREAKDOWN, AND VOLKSWAGEN RECALLED THE 2002 PASSAT FOR FAULTY FUEL PUMPS, BUT NOT ALL 2002'S QUALIFIED FOR THE RECALL, LIKE MINE. THERE WAS A WAITING LIST OF 3 MONTHS JUST TO GET A PUMP FROM THE DEALER. THE FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A CHARGE OF $615.87, AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN A RECALL IF THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS ALL 2002 MODELS. *JB

MY 2002 VW PASSAT 4 MOTION DEVELOPED A SEVERE FUEL LEAK FROM A DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK WHICH RUPTURED ALONG THE TOP AND WAS LEAKING IN 3 PLACES. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED WITH ANY COLLISION. VW REFUSED TO COVER THE REPAIR DUE TO MY VEHICLE HAVING 65000 MILES. DEALER MECHANIC SAID HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL OTHER PASSATS WITH 4 MOTION HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. REPAIR COST ESTIMATE IS 3000.00. *JB

I OWN A 2002 VW PASSAT V6 GLX WITH 42,700 MILES. WITHIN THE PAST 2 MONTHS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM STARTED WITH VERY STRONG GASOLINE FUMES COMING FROM THE CAR AFTER THE TANK IS FILLED AND THE CAR IS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. THE GAS TANK IS FILLED UNTIL THE FIRST CLICK OFF OF THE GAS NOZZLE ( AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS). THE GASOLINE FUMES ARE VERY STRONG, REQUIRING THAT THE GARAGE DOORS BE LEFT PARTIALLY OPEN TO REDUCE THE FUMES TO A TOLERABLE LEVEL. NO FUEL DRIPS FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FUMES SEEM TO BE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF THE CAR. FUMES CAN SOMETIMES BE SMELLED BRIEFLY OUTDOORS WHEN THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK IS FULL. THE FUMES STOP AFTER THE TANK LEVEL IS DOWN TO ABOUT 3/4 TANK. THE PROBLEM RECURS CONSISTENTLY NOW FOR ME EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS REFUELED. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL VW DEALER ON 11/5/05. THEY PRESSURED TESTED THE VEHICLE'S FUEL SYSTEM WITH ARGON AND REPORTED THAT THEY CAN FIND NO FUEL LEAK OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS. THE SERVICE MANAGER CONTACTED VW TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN ON 12/15/05 WITH A HALF TANK OF FUEL AS REQUESTED. THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS, AS RECOMMENDED BY VW TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, REMOVED THE GAS TANK AND WEIGHED THE CHARCOAL CANISTER TO DETERMINE IF ADEQUATE CHARCOAL WAS PRESENT. THE CHARCOAL CANISTER WAS WITHIN FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS REINSTALLED THE SAME PARTS AND THEN FILLED THE GAS TANK. THEY THEN PRESSURE TESTED THE VEHICLE'S FUEL SYSTEM WITH ARGON OVERNIGHT, LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN THE SERVICE BAY. THEY COULD NOT DETECT ANY FUEL LEAKS OR REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. VW TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORTEDLY TOLD THE TECH'S THAT THEY HAD DONE ALL THAT WAS POSSIBLE AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE TO DO. THE SERVICE MANAGER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEIR SERVICE BAY IS QUITE LARGE AND VENTILATED SO THAT THE CONDITIONS DO NOT DUPLICATE HAVING THE VEHICLE IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. A FIRE RISK AND FUME EXPOSURE REMAIN. *JB

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY RIGHT REAR MICHELIN MXV4 TIRE DISINTEGRATED. PARTS OF THE TIRE RUPTURED THE GAS TANK. ON 6/18/2003 THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL# 02V026000. ON 6/20/2003 THE DEALER CALLED AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER ALL DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE WOULD BE FIXED PER THE RECALL. A RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED AFTER THE CALL FROM THE DEALER WAS MADE. *AK *PH

CONSUMER NOTICED AFTER FILLING VEHICLE WITH FUEL VEHICLE INTICATION LIGHT WOULD FLASH, STATING LOW ON FUEL. DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

SAME AS OTHER COMPLAINT LISTED: "DANGEROUS SITUATION. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE DOES 1 OF 3 THINGS: 1)GASPS FOR GAS AND GOES NOWHERE (DANGEROUS WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS) OR 2) TRIES TO MOVE AHEAD LIKE A CARBURETED CARE WITH VAPOR LOCK OR 3) PERFORMS NORMALLY." PROBLEMS ARE MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS HOT. I LIVE IN NEVADA. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO VW AND DEALERSHIP BASICALLY SAID THAT VW KNOWS ABOUT IT BUT THERE'S NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. MANY ON VW FORUMS HAVE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I'M SURPRISED NO ONE HAS BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. *NLM

BOUGHT THE CAR NEW 4/02, IGNITION COIL FAILED IN 8/02 WITH ONLY 1000 MILES ON CAR. THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND LOST POWER W/ BABY IN THE CAR ON A HIGHWAY. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL. HAPPENED AGAIN ON 10/31/02, CAR WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR ALMOST 1 MONTH WAITING FOR ANOTHER IGNITION COIL. DEALER PROVIDED RENTAL CAR AND COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH V.W. THEY PAID MY CAR PAYMENT FOR MONTH OF 11/02. MANY PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. DEALER'S LOT WAS FULL OF CARS WAITING FOR THIS PART. I TOOK THEIR LAST RENTAL CAR, LUCKY FOR ME, SINCE I GOT AN IMPALA SS INSTEAD OF A 2 DOOR CAVALIER. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED ON THESE IGNITION COILS. THERE ARE MANY LEMON LAW CASES FILED AGAINST VW. ALSO VERY POOR GAS MILEAGE AND ACCELERATION. VERY DANGEROUS LEFT HAND TURNS WHEN THE CAR JUST SITS THERE AND YOU'RE HITTING THE GAS!!!*JB

ONE OF THE COLI PACKS FAILED ON MY CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 4500 MILES. THE CAR RAN VERY ROUGH AND HAD A VERY NOTICABLE LOSS OF POWER. A WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH BOARD AND THE MANUAL SAID THAT THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN AND SHOULD BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS AFRAID THAT IF I WAS IN A SITUATION WHERE THE CAR NEEDED TO ACCELERATE QUCIKLY THAT AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURED.

THREE OF FOUR ORIGINAL IGNITION COILS HAVE FAILED. TWO OF THE REPLACEMENTS HAVE FAILED. VW AMERICA HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT A NEW COIL IS AVAILABLE, BUT THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE THE COILS UNTIL THEY FAIL. WHEN THE COILS FAIL, THE CAR RUNS VERY "ROUGH" DOES NOT ENGAGE INTO THE TURBO PHASE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. DT

WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FAILED AND DAMAGED THE FUEL FILLER NECK CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS FAILURE IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE FAILURES DESCRIBED IN ODI-INFLUENCED RECALL 02V026000 FOR 2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. A FIRE COULD HAVE RESULTED IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT. *TT *CB

DANGEROUS SITUATION. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE DOES 1 OF 3 THINGS: 1)GASPS FOR GAS AND GOES NOWHERE (DANGEROUS WHEN MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS) OR 2) TRIES TO MOVE AHEAD LIKE A CARBURETED CARE WITH VAPOR LOCK OR 3) PERFORMS NORMALLY.